Author: Chloe Coutinho

WA Premier prioritises ASEAN WA Premier Roger Cook is travelling to Indonesia and Singapore with the aim of reaffirming the state's important role in supporting the energy transition and decarbonisation of the ASEAN region. While in Indonesia, WA Premier Cook will participate in strategic engagements with the East Java Provincial Government, Indonesia Australia Business Council East Java Chapter and the Australian Consul-General in Surabaya. The WA Premier will spend two days in Surabaya before flying to Singapore. In Singapore, the Premier will participate in a roundtable discussion with government, businesses and investors to discuss energy transition and decarbonisation and related opportunities. WA Premier Cook...

Rio Tinto to invest $1.4b in lithium JV Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and Corporación Nacional Del Cobre de Chile (Codelco) have signed binding agreements to form a joint venture to develop and operate a high-grade lithium project in the Salar de Maricunga in Chile. The agreement is the next step in a broader strategic partnership to strengthen both Rio Tinto’s and Chile’s positions as leading suppliers of materials for the global energy transition. Salar de Maricunga is a large lithium-containing resource base in the Atacama region with the potential for scalable, long-life and low-cost production. Its brine has one of the highest average grades of lithium content in the...

BMA scholars graduate from CQ University Three BMA-funded scholars celebrated their successes at the CQ University graduation ceremony in Mackay, Queensland. Bachelor of Nursing graduate Michelle Erikson and Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) graduate Julieanne Bergmann joined hundreds of fellow graduates who received their official certification with the help of their BMA scholarships. Michelle is a mum of four children with no extended family support in Mackay. She relied on both her husband and the CQUniCares BMA Community Scholarship funding to help get her through her studies....

Barminco inks $500m contract Perenti’s (ASX: PRN) underground mining subsidiary, Barminco, has signed a new contract to continue underground mining operations at the Agnew gold mine for Gold Fields. Agnew is near Leinster, WA and includes multiple underground operations. As part of the renewal, development and production undertaken by Barminco has been agreed for another 3-years plus a 1-year extension option. Perenti managing director and chief executive Mark Norwell says the company is pleased to be extending its relationship with Gold Fields at the Agnew gold mine. “Gold Fields is one of our most longstanding and...

Rio Tinto’s largest hydroelectric investment in over 70 years Rio Tinto is investing $1.8b (US$1.2b) to modernise its Isle-Maligne hydroelectric power plant in Quebec, Canada, marking the miner’s largest single investment in its hydroelectric assets since the 1950s. The power plant modernisation is essential to secure the future of low-carbon aluminium production in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, supporting the jobs of employees across the region. This allows Rio Tinto to protect its assets for the long term, ensure a more efficient, safe and reliable power supply of renewable energy to smelters, casting houses and other facilities and maintain safe operations for its employees and the community. The...

Decmil awarded $80m in contracts Macmahon Holdings’ (ASX: MAH) wholly owned subsidiary, Decmil, has been awarded two new contracts from Eva Copper Mine and Arrow Energy. Decmil will deliver the new operations permanent village at the Eva Copper Mine in Queensland, adding about $70m to Macmahon’s secured orderbook. The project involves the design and construction of a 454-person accommodation village, including accommodation units, central facilities, water and wastewater treatment plants, internal roads, drainage, bulk earthworks, services installation and associated infrastructure. Works are set to commence in mid-2025, with completion expected in 2026. In WA, Decmil will...

Exploration drives 100% resources bump for Northern Star The future is bright for Northern Star (ASX: NST), with the miner lifting its mineral resources to 70.7moz and ore reserves to 22.3moz. The results, part of the company’s mineral resources and ore reserves update, are fuelled by exploration efforts driving further value creation. At the Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines operation (KCGM), mineral resources are up 100% and ore reserves are up 50% since acquisition five years ago at average discovery success of $13/oz. KCGM mineral resources increased to 38.9moz, up 7.2moz, and ore reserves increased to 14.4moz, up 1.2moz, predominately driven by growth at Fimiston Underground. At...

Whitehaven celebrates Mother’s Day at Kurrumbede Homestead Over in NSW, Gunnedah’s historic Kurrumbede property was transformed to its historic roots over the weekend, as families from across the region gathered for a Mother’s Day inspired Open Day. Hosted by Whitehaven (ASX: WHC) in partnership with the Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society and sponsored by Strikeforce Services, the day offered something for everyone. Visitors enjoyed free family fun, heritage displays, delicious food, market stalls and live entertainment. Whitehaven community engagement general manager Darren Swain highlights the significance of the event. “Kurrumbede...

Weir and CiDRA announce strategic investment Weir and CiDRA Minerals Processing have signed a global collaboration agreement aimed at accelerating the commercialisation and deployment of CiDRA’s P29 technology. This technology introduces an innovative mineral separation solution and unlocks novel flowsheet designs. Under the terms of the agreement, Weir and CiDRA will collaborate globally to leverage the benefits of the P29 technology to develop and deliver transformative flowsheet solutions to help mining companies meet the challenges of reduced head grades, water restrictions, reduced carbon emissions and tailings impound safety. Through this partnership, CiDRA and Weir will jointly develop and deliver...

Sumitomo sweeps up 30% stake in Winu project Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) and Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM) have signed the final joint venture agreements to deliver the Winu copper-gold project in the Great Sandy Desert region of WA. Under the agreements, Rio Tinto will continue to develop and operate Winu and SMM will pay Rio Tinto up to $430.4m for a 30% equity share of the project. This includes $195m up front and up to $235.4m in deferred considerations contingent...

Rio Tinto to supply green steelmaking plant Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) will supply 70% percent of the iron ore for Primetals’ industrial-scale prototype plant in Austria. Primetals Technologies, together with its strategic partner Mitsubishi Corporation and Rio Tinto and globally leading steel and technology group voestalpine, signed a cooperation agreement to fast-track the development of fluidised bed and smelter technologies. The participants will implement and operate an industrial-scale prototype plant scheduled for startup in 2027. The plant will feature a new process for potential net-zero carbon dioxide...